Palarong Basketbol sa Kabataan in Toronto Sets to Open at HoopDome

By Tony San Juan
Toronto-Canada
March 23, 2018






The "Palarong Basketbol sa Kabataan sa HoopDome " , otherwise known as GTA Hoops Basketball Invitational, will be held  for the first time in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area- GTHA on June 15, 16, & 17, 2018 at the popular Downsview Park HoopDome, 75 Carl Hall Road, North York, Toronto, Ontario, M3K 2B9.

This sporting initiative is being spearheaded and hosted by the newly- organized GTA Hoops Basketball Committee in support of the growing need and interest of Filipino Canadian families , individuals, youths and students  for a more challenging , responsible and productive  basketball competitions. Specifically, the tournament aims towards Filipino Canadian youth community development and in conjunction with the historic celebration of June Filipino Heritage Month as declared by the Toronto City Council.

The GTAHBC is composed of Vilma Tahsin, Manny & Vilma Villamor, Roger Tarca and Bob San Juan, all community basketball aficionados. The five were former PIDC volunteers who jointly founded and managed the Mabuhay Cup Basketball tournaments for the past 14 years. Through the friendly games of competitive basketball , the Palaro 2018 hopes to continue bringing together the community as well as promoting sports fitness, leadership and fellowship in the Canadian milieu.

Invited to register and participate in the 3- day tourney are known ball clubs: Bayan, CKaTT, Crossover, Durham FBA, Gladiators, Jayhawks, Lapsley, Maharlika, NYPAA, OneTen, Red Warriors, Rising Suns, UNDFTD, 24 MM, Brampton Saints, Vaughan, Bayanihan, FAAB, Lakan, PBA, Fican, TO Elite, YDB and other established basketball teams. The premier participants include players within the Age Groups of those born in the years: 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, and 2000 and as well the Ladies & Men’s Open Divisions.

Moreover, the participating clubs are requested to attend the First Teams Leader’s meeting and official launching on April 8, 2018 Sunday from 2 to 4 PM at FV Foods, 2085 Lawrence Ave East, and Scarborough. For more information, please check gtahoopsbasketball.com or email [email protected], call/text at 416-697-5197.

In their message - invitation, the GTA Hoops tourney founders & organizers expressed enthusiasm in making this event a "part of their solid legacy”. Likewise, the Committee sends its great appreciation for continued support and encouragement and is looking forward to warmly welcoming the respective ball clubs and their players, parents, coaches and officials. They promised “to make the milestone event a highly positive experience that would meet or surpass all the stakeholders’ discriminating expectations". (BSJ / tsj).